FROM AQUAPONICS TO BEEKEEPING, KNOW THE BASICS

Mombasa nominated MCA Serah Nyamvula with herbs she grows at her farm in Bomani, Kilifi County. They include parsely, mint sweet, oregano and thyme. WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

RAISING PIGS
I am starting a pig farming venture and I have no idea how to manage them. Please guide me.
Vincent Tuvula

Rearing pigs can be a very profitable venture particularly to those with passion for animal agriculture. One of the advantages of pig farming over other large farm animals is that they are prolific (can give many offsprings per birth), feed on a wide range of resources, have a short gestation period, have higher growth rate and attain market weight early.

This implies that there is quick return to initial cost on investment in contrast to other large farm animals. However, like other livestock enterprises, understanding basic pig’s biology and behaviour is important. This will help in feeding, housing, handling and routine management at different physiological stages.

FEEDING: Boars, sows and gilts should be offered sow and weaner feeds. The boars should be fed depending on their age and body condition, with young boars being given up to 3kg of feeds while mature fat boars being fed about 1kg a day. Sows likewise should be fed based on age, body condition and whether they are nursing piglets.

Gilts should be fed at will until they attain 70kg, from there their diet should be restricted to about 3kg daily. Pregnant sows should be fed 2 to 3.5kg depending on body condition but avoid fattening. Feeds should be reduced to about 2kg three days before the pig farrows (gives birth).

When nursing, provide about 2.8kg to the sow as well as add about 0.25kg for every piglet. Nursing sow should raise the piglets for about eight weeks after which they should be gradually separated and piglets weaned.

During this period, routine management of piglets should be done, which include iron injection, teeth clipping, castration, docking and identification. It is important to involve registered animal health personnel when carrying out the routine practices. In all cases, provide water in plenty.

HOUSING: Different classes of pigs should be housed separately. Selected boars for breeding should be housed individually to avoid fights, which may be fatal. Sows or gilts can be housed in groups, but recommended space for each animal should be observed and provided.

Where space allows, each litter (group of piglets born of the same sow at the same time) should be independently raised to ease management and avoid fights. However, where several litters are of same age, they can be raised together but should be combined earlier in life, possibly during weaning.

For more details on pig farming, please visit Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University. Also, kindly follow the link below to access a pig farming manual. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3tcvnfddkabwtnu/Pig%20keeping%20in%20the%20tropics.pdf?dl=0
Wangui, J. Chege

Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University and RPL- Resilience, Wajir County.

MY CHICKENS FEED ON FEATHERS

I have been keeping chickens and of late I have realised that some of them feed on their feathers. What could be the cause of this?
Farmer

This condition is known as feather pecking and it usually starts with back feathers, and may progress to the tail and the whole body. Feather pecking is mostly a consequence of poor housing conditions that results in bullying.

The predisposing factors include overcrowding, excessive light and temperature, insufficient or improperly placed feeder or drinking space. Chickens are by nature territorial and as such, consideration must be given to the stocking density.

In addition to environmental conditions, the other probable factor is nutritional imbalances such as mineral deficiencies like sodium, which is common in cases where the birds lack salt in their diet. Amino acid (methionine) deficiency, feeding high energy diets with low fibre are also likely to result in feather pecking.

Sophie Miyumo,
Department of Animal Sciences,
Egerton University.

MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
I am a pig farmer and would like to know if there is an alternative to a record card, for instance, a chip card.
Stella

Keeping records is important for planning and farm management and investment decisions as well as taxation. As of now, most farmers keep records on handwritten books.

The alternative to keeping your records safe is the use of various computer programmes such as structured excel spreadsheets or databases. Softwares also available for record management include iAgri Online, Agrivi, AgStudio FARM among others, which can be downloaded from the internet.

Felix Akatch Opinya,

Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

ORGANIC FARMING
I have 13 acres in Shimoni, Mombasa on which I intend to start organic farming but would like to get professional advice on how to do it.
Mwachui

Mombasa

Commercial farming, especially organic farming, requires professional advice that we cannot give in detail on this forum. Kindly get in touch with the Division of Research, Egerton University, for arrangements on visiting the farm to obtain accurate analysis of the situation and on the way forward.

Sylvans O. Ochola, Department of Crops, Horticulture & Soils, and Onfarm Consult Ltd.

I WANT TO PRACTICE AQUAPONICS

I am interested in establishing an aquaponics farm. Kindly share any information on training or does Egerton do the setup.
Gift Kilonzo

Aquaponics refers to the combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (crop farming) using mineral nutrient solutions, without soil). Nutrient-rich water resulting from raising fish provides a source of natural fertiliser for the growing plants which in turn helps to purify the water that the fish live in.

Though a new concept nationally, several organisations and institutions such as Egerton University, Hydroponics Kenya and Amsha Africa Foundation can help you set up the system. Egerton University also provides training on aquaponics. Kindly contact the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils.
Kimitei K. Ronald,

Department of Animal Sciences Egerton University.

KEEPING BEES

Last year, a bee farmer sold me hives and promised to assist me nurture my business. Unfortunately, his customer care services ended when he supplied the hives. I have not reaped anything from the venture and I consider I have lost Sh50,000. How do I rescue my project? Please educate me on how to take care of hives, ensuring there are colonies to harvest honey from and sell.

Irene

With the hives in good condition, all is not lost. Siting is very important for the hives. Ensure they are kept under shade always, far from a busy place and where they can easily access tree species with flowers.

You can plant nectar producing trees/plants around the farm. The more readily available nectar sources are, the more honey you will harvest. Hang the hives at least 1m above the ground. In addition, hive maintenance is necessary.

During honey harvesting, ensure you repair broken parts and damaged hives. Try to control pests like ants, spiders and honey badgers though not by use of harmful chemicals. Painting the branches where the hives rest or are suspended will be of great help. Since bees are very adaptable to all agro-ecological zones, maintaining the colony is quite easy.

Your intervention is mainly required during dry seasons. Ensure water is readily available near the hives and the bees are supplemented with sugar syrup feed. As a good practice to facilitate honey harvesting, do regular hive inspection to monitor how much honey is made.

During harvesting, do not over smoke the hive to affect honey quality and the bees themselves. Don’t harvest all the honey; leave some combs with little for the bees to start on. To make more money out of your venture, you can start processing and packaging your honey while ensuring its quality.

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Sciences,
Egerton University.
SOURCE: NMG